Stef Smith

I've been very busy over the last few months with school and work.  It's been a while since I've been here.  I'll try to work on that.

School update....as the first semester nears its ends, I find myself a little tired, but in no way regretting my decision.  It is definitely hard, but I think it is worth it.  I find it very easy to learn and understand what I am learning.  What I find difficult is the studying portion of school.  I think I always did though.  I am having a hard time forcing myself to study at home.  I am working on that.

Work update....My boss has approved me to work part time so that I can continue my education even though it will have absolutely no benefit to her in the long run.  Well that seems to have changed as well.  My supervisor and I have been talking and it seems that the boss wants two full time floaters, not the one and a half she currently has.  Full time is just not an option for me anymore.  I am committed to finishing my degrees and bettering my future.  Currently, I still work at the same location, but I have told my supervisor that I will look for another job, one that will allow me to work part time and still provide the benefits I need.  If I find something tomorrow, then I will leave.  I am just not going to go through this every semester with her.  I haven't been looking too much yet, it's only been a week and I am still quite angry at the situation.  My supervisor seems to think that she can talk the boss out of this decision she has made.  Even if she can, like I said, I won't do this every semester.

Personal update.....Mark and I are doing very well.  He is no longer in the Marine Corps.  He needs to have knee surgery and until that happens he won't be able to pass the physical tests he needs to take yearly.  Eventually he will get this stubbornness out of his head and go to the damn doctor.  I'm still trying to decide if he needs to use the VA or his personal insurance for the procedure.  Either way, it will need to be documented with the Marine Corps since it was an injury due to his many years in the Corps.  We are still working on that as well.

Mark update.....Mark is good.  He is keeping very busy with work.  He should be getting more work piled up on him starting Monday.  Monday is when the new administration transition team starts on site at Dept. of Homeland Security.  Mark will be a part of this team.  Mark has also received a promotion at work.  He is now the Program Manager over the facilities call center and on-site parking program.